Presented at Worldart, Cape Town, 1- 30 August 2018
Featuring Art of Brother, Lhola Amira and Ronald Muchatuta.
Curated by Carlyn Strydom
What is South Africa, even? explores the notion of a country coming to terms with itself as a diverse and complex society. Lhola Amira, Ronald Muchatuta and Art of Brother, the creative collective comprising of Karabo Makenna and Cobus Engelbrecht, each present a body of work in response to this theme.
The exhibition aims to reflect on the outdated notions of the nation. As a term that was born out of modernity, with its parochial definition of what constitutes a nation. The exhibition begins a conversation on the relevance of such a term given our myriad ‘origin stories’ (thinking historically). The exhibition asks what South Africa signifies for those living in the country in terms of our shared experiences as human beings and our expectations in the community that makes up South Africa.
As a country trying to recover from its violent history, which extends beyond it boarders, an interrogation of the past and its impact on our present day lived realities is essential. How have structural inequalities shaped our country? How do our own histories and expectations living here reflect how we interact with the space that is South Africa?
What is South Africa, even? was opened to “South African” and “non-South Africans” to more broadly understand the county from a variety of perspectives. For, South African citizens are not the only people who participate in the economy and social-political life of this country, nor are they the sole cultural contributors.
Generously supported by Redbushed Fruit and La Vierge Wines
The catalogue is available here
